The BespelledA story about Al and Ceri, well before the main storyline, this story was fair and dA partial review of individual stories at this point.

The BespelledA story about Al and Ceri, well before the main storyline, this story was fair and did little for me when I first read it. **½

Two Ghosts for Sister RachelA solid novella-length work about a young Rachel Morgan as she attempts to summon the ghost of her father in order to get permission to join the IS. Better than many of Harrison's other shorter works, I think part of its success is due to the fact that the longer novella format gives her more room to work with than the short story. Although a prequel to the primary novels, the events in this book set up characters and events that start to appear around the 7th book.

Unfortunately, some of the events detailed in this book are later contradicted in the primary novels. I don't think this story is to blame, as much as Harrison wanting to integrate characters and ideas without having planned ahead to do so, and thus essentially being forced to retcon certain details in the novels to fit the greater theme. It's a shame because the later changes potentially detract from what is a solid story. ****

Undead in the Garden of Good and EvilAnother prequel to the primary series, this story focuses on the living vampire, Ivy. Unfortunately, it is not as good as her novels tend to be. Although there is a mystery-of-sorts plot, the story is really about vampiric sexual tension and was much more vampire porn than her longer works. Overall, it felt rather forced. I may be holding this to higher standards than the other stories because I expected more from the author I already liked. **½

Dirty MagicEnjoyable little tale, set in the Rachel Morgan universe, about a Banshee (Mia...who appears in both another short story and in one of the novels) looking for love. ***½

The Bridges of Eden ParkA simple story about Rachel and Kisten, there's not much to it. **

Ley Line DrifterThis is a nice story about Jax setting up shop on his own and the perception of the "minor" races (i.e. things that are not humans, witches, vampires, werewolves, or elves). ***½

Million Dollar BabyAn original story for this anthology, it fills in Trent and Jax's side-trip to "kidnap" Trent's daughter. An interesting side tale with more depth than the others due to it's longer length, it still suffers a bit from Trent's uninteresting self-pity. ***½

Pet Shop BoysThe first of the non-Hollows related works, an original short story that sets up a different sort of vampire universe, but not one that works particularly well. **

Temson EstatesA short story about dryads, there's no there there. *½

Spider SilkA story about a family with a generations long conflict with the dryad guarding the woods by their farm. Only so-so. **

Grace(less)A pretty good story about a world where some people can manipulate energy and electricity. Definitely has potential for its own series. ***...more

As an independent story there is simply not much too this. It may make quite a bit more sense if one has read the first book of the series to which itAs an independent story there is simply not much too this. It may make quite a bit more sense if one has read the first book of the series to which it is related....more

A strange book, Among Others is a story about dealing with loss, growing up, and loving Science Fiction and Fantasy. It's told as diary entries of theA strange book, Among Others is a story about dealing with loss, growing up, and loving Science Fiction and Fantasy. It's told as diary entries of the main character, Mor, with most of the story taking place over about a five month period in late 1979/early 1980.

There were aspects of the story which I really liked. Others became tedious, particularly the never-ending litany of the latest SFF books Mor had read, a who's-who travelogue of the genre as it stood around 1980. After awhile the constant litany of books and discussion of authors becomes less of an homage and more of a condemnation of *you*, yes you the reader, for not having read or being familiar with every single one of these. It's certainly not meant that way, but that's what it starts to feel like, and it becomes somewhat gimmicky. (I did rather like her discovery of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, however...a book she received as a Christmas gift from a friend which she never would have read on her own, but felt obligated to read so she could make an honest claim to have done so, and then ended up loving it).

Magic in the book is kept deliberately mysterious, and in fact, a theme of the book is that magic doesn't work as well or as simply in the real world as it does in fiction. Despite this, Mor seems completely knowledgeable about how to do magic, and seems capable of doing whatever she wants at will, with no explanation or logic as to how or why she knows how to do it when she simultaneously claims not to understand it almost at all.

I enjoyed the book, but I certainly didn't love it, and I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to. Probably a very hit-or-miss book for most people....more

The nth book of the series, Cold Days sets a fairly frentic pace without much downtime in it. It's a solid work in the series, probably falling somewhThe nth book of the series, Cold Days sets a fairly frentic pace without much downtime in it. It's a solid work in the series, probably falling somewhere in the middle with respect to overall quality. Better than the previous book, not as good as the two prior to that.

I give Butcher credit for really shaking things up in his story/universe, something many authors have been reluctant to do. Starting a few books ago, he really turned a lot of the story on its head, and while some of it has been somewhat unturned, the twists keep coming. I've also found throughout his books that he's pretty good at pulling off an unexpected twist or two—no matter how many I see coming, he usually manages to squeeze in at least one more.

The biggest drawback to me was the humor. Harry has always been a smart ass, free with the cultural cross-reference joke, and I've generally enjoyed them, but in this book it felt over-the-top and forced. Instead of being just part of the character(s), it felt more like the author trying to continually show how clever he was....more

The 4th and 5th books of the series, Wizard by Trade moves beyond the early stumbling and world building of the first few books and delivers a pair ofThe 4th and 5th books of the series, Wizard by Trade moves beyond the early stumbling and world building of the first few books and delivers a pair of solid stories of wizard Harry Dresden and his battle to do what is right in the face of adversity....more

I thought the concept was pretty good and really wanted to like this book, but just never felt like I got into it. The plot was rather simplistic, theI thought the concept was pretty good and really wanted to like this book, but just never felt like I got into it. The plot was rather simplistic, the characters a little too flat (although with potential), and the humor not humorous enough. It starts off doing a good job playing off of the "story that you've heard is not the real story" angle of the fairy tales, but in the long run just falls back onto common tropes....more

An Artemis Fowl short story which takes place in between the first and second book, it is a quick read which captures the early feel of the charactersAn Artemis Fowl short story which takes place in between the first and second book, it is a quick read which captures the early feel of the characters before there was time for growth and maturity....more

After the last few books were a bit of a letdown, it was nice to see the series bounce back with a strong effort. Black Magic Sanction is primarily abAfter the last few books were a bit of a letdown, it was nice to see the series bounce back with a strong effort. Black Magic Sanction is primarily about the consequences of happenings from the previous few books, but with a stronger edge. Many of Rachel's relationships with various characters from previous books take solid steps forward (or backward, depending on the relationship), although I'd prefer to see a little more of Ivy than we've gotten lately. A nice book, giving hope for future titles....more

A bit better than the previous book, Butcher turns in a solid outing in the story of Harry Dresden while ratcheting up some of the broader themes. LooA bit better than the previous book, Butcher turns in a solid outing in the story of Harry Dresden while ratcheting up some of the broader themes. Looking forward to the next one....more

I didn't care for this one as much as the last few. The plot seemed strained as if Colfer can't decide what to do with the characters and is retreadinI didn't care for this one as much as the last few. The plot seemed strained as if Colfer can't decide what to do with the characters and is retreading old territory. Definitely inhibits my enthusiasm for a future book a bit. Probably more like 2 1/2 stars. ...more

Another good outing in the Artemis Fowl series, this one was a bit better than the last one. The author is definitely shaking things up quite a bit moAnother good outing in the Artemis Fowl series, this one was a bit better than the last one. The author is definitely shaking things up quite a bit more, with events and circumstances with long-term consequences. It will be interesting to see how this shuffles out in the long run....more

The fourth book in the series, it's an enjoyable if reasonably predictable romp through the same setting as the previous books. However, the series isThe fourth book in the series, it's an enjoyable if reasonably predictable romp through the same setting as the previous books. However, the series is starting to mature in some sense (as is the title character), with events and ramifications which are a bit more permanent than have been seen in the previous volumes. The ending also sets up a scenario to allow future books to delve into a different direction, although only time will tell if the author carries through....more

The third book in the Artemis Fowl series, in-and-of-itself, there is nothing particularly special about this book. It plays out pretty much like theThe third book in the Artemis Fowl series, in-and-of-itself, there is nothing particularly special about this book. It plays out pretty much like the first two, without really trying anything particularly new. It does shake up the larger storyline with changes to a number of characters which could have far-reaching implications for future books...or which might come to nothing since an opening exists to reverse many (although not all) of these changes....more

Although it started a bit slow, this turned into a solid and respectable urban fantasy about a fairy war in modern day (er...mid-1980's) Minneapolis.Although it started a bit slow, this turned into a solid and respectable urban fantasy about a fairy war in modern day (er...mid-1980's) Minneapolis. Some of the music imagery seemed a bit over the top and hard to follow, but perhaps it would be more appreciated by a musician. ...more

A good followup to the initial Artemis Fowl book, Eoin Colfer definitely starts to get into the groove with the characters and universe he has createdA good followup to the initial Artemis Fowl book, Eoin Colfer definitely starts to get into the groove with the characters and universe he has created. The characters have more depth and the story runs more smoothly....more

When I first started reading this it really didn't grip me and it took awhile to warm up to it. I think the issue is that from the beginning I thoughtWhen I first started reading this it really didn't grip me and it took awhile to warm up to it. I think the issue is that from the beginning I thought Artemis was supposed to be the protagonist and he didn't work as one...as it went on I realized he's really not in that role and is instead a more central antagonist, which works quite a bit better. While I didn't love it, I'm certainly willing to give the next book a try....more